1. Stress and Mood Enhancement
A randomized double-blind pilot study involved 58 healthy adults in a test to achieve grounding with a conductive adhesive patch on the sole of each foot. The subjects were exposed to 28 minutes in unearthed condition, followed by another 28 minutes with the Earthing wire connected.
Earthing appeared to significantly affect electrophysiological properties of the brain and muscles, suggesting reduced overall stress levels and tensions as well as a shift in autonomic nervous system balance.
In a small study conducted to assess if Earthing improves mood, 40 adult subjects were either grounded or sham-grounded for an hour while relaxing in a recliner chair equipped with a conductive pillow, mat, and patches connecting them to the ground.
Based on the brief mood introspection scale, pleasant and positive moods statistically significantly improved among grounded participants, but not sham-grounded ones. The one-hour contact may have improved mood more than expected by relaxation alone, therefore warranting more extensive studies.
2. Pain Management
Recent research shows the importance of charge transfer to scavenge or neutralize free radicals, thus mitigating the effects of inflammation. This might explain how bodywork and movement therapies can help resolve acute or chronic injuries, and how patients with inflammatory conditions can benefit from barefoot contact with the Earth.
In a pilot study, grounding appeared to alter measures of immune system activity and pain, showing benefits against delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) among four out of eight participants.
Researchers also looked at the effects of grounding on massage therapists’ quality of life and pain. They observed “consistent beneficial effects” in areas highly relevant to the profession, namely pain, physical function, and mood. The results demonstrated that grounding benefited multiple domains relevant to their job, supporting overall wellness and quality of life.
3. Cardiovascular Health
Grounding appears to increase the surface charge of red blood cells, thereby reducing blood viscosity and clumping and profoundly reducing cardiovascular risk and events.
Blood Viscosity
A 2013 study published by the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine states that walking barefoot “reduces blood viscosity, which is a major factor in cardiovascular disease.” Blood viscosity describes the thickness and stickiness of your blood, and the lower it is, the easier the blood flows through blood vessels and circulates throughout the body.
High Blood Pressure
In the first known study measuring the influence of grounding on high blood pressure, systolic levels among subjects with high blood pressure decreased when they grounded themselves at home for at least 10 hours a day for several months. The systolic level drop ranged individually from 8.6 percent to 22.7 percent with an average decrease of 14.3 percent.
Pulse Rate, Blood Oxygenation, and Other Markers
Researchers observed changes in pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygenation, perfusion index, and skin conductance during and after grounding subjects for 40 minutes. “These results warrant further research to determine how grounding affects the body. Grounding could become important for relaxation, health maintenance and disease prevention,” noted researchers who conducted a randomized controlled trial and published their findings in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2010.
4. Protection From Common Viruses
Due to its natural anti-inflammatory effects on the human body, Earthing may positively affect cases of common flu and colds. In addition to accelerating immune response after vaccination, Earthing also improves the immune response, which is essential for recovering from flu.